Self-lubricating journal-box



(N0 ModeL) H. STILL.

. SELF LUBRIGATING JOURNAL BOX- N0. 307,148. Patented 0013. 28, 1884.

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nal, which in this instance is made half in .its novel features will be specifically set forth and it is evident that the tubes D may be UNITED STATES PATENT @rrrcn... I

HENRY STILL, or BELOIT, KANSAS.

SELF-LUBRICATIN G JOURNAL-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 307,148, dated October 28, II 884.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY STILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beloit, in the county of Mitchell and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Lubricating Journal-Boxes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, in which I Figure 1 is a plan of a self-lubricating box constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the upper half of the box. Fig. 3 is a plan of the lower half of the box, and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of the box provided with a cover.

Like letters refer to like parts in all the figures.

The objects of my invention are to provide a self-lubricating box for journals of all kinds, which box shall hold a supply of lubricant beyond the need for present use, gradually conduct said lubricant to the journal, and filter the same and' deposit the sediment below the journal, so that a constant uniform supply of gritless lubricant is furnished so long as the original quantity lasts.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following description of my invention, and

in the claims.

A represents the up'perhalf, and B the lower half, of the box, and O the journal. Although herein shown as substantially rectangular in shape, I do not limit myself thereto; but I may make the box of any suitable shape, so long as I retain the principal features hereinafter described.

0 represents the seat or bearing for the joureach half of the box; but it is evident that the box with oil-passages and bearing could be cast in one piece, and the recesses or wells, hereinafter mentioned, may be cast by use of a core or otherwise-that is to say, by the usual well-known methods of casting pieces with inclosed passages and recesses. My improved box may be cast complete in one piece,

omitted, as a passage formed in the box when cast would serve the function of the tubes, and therefore I use the terms tubes and passages synonymously, as also the words ,fountains, wells, and recesses, as I may use either of these elements at different points about, above, or below the journal. Above, or it may be below or at the side or sides of, the journal I provide a main-supply fountain, as A, and below the journal two secondary fountains,B,in this instance formed in the lower half of the box. In this instance, also, as minor features, the upper half of the box is provided with depending flanges a, which enter the recesses, wells, or secondary fountains B.

D represents oilpassages communicating with the main and secondary fountains, the course of such passages being such as to terminate at the bearing 0, so that when wicks E are in the passages they lie upon or comein contact with the journal. In this instance the passages D are formed by casting the box around tubes inclined at an angle to and across the bearing; but, if desired, said passages may be cast or otherwise made in the box itself. By projecting the walls of the passages or tubes D above and below, so as to extend a short distance into the fountains, advantages are gained, in that leakage of oil through and between the upper and lower halves of the box is avoided, and any sediment in the main fountain is inpart prevented from being carried down by the wicks.

I find by experiment that asbestus is preferable as a substance for the wicks, as it is serviceable and less liable to-throw off lint, which may serve to collect and carry grit and sediment to the journal to .-its injury and a clogging of the feed of oil. The openings from the bearing G,into the passages D are located, preferably, below the joint between the two halves of the box, so that oil shall not escape through said joint. Any suitable cover, as F,

may be provided for the main fountain, and in wicks E drawn down into the secondary fountains or wells B, coming in contact with the journal in the act of being drawn down. Dirt, dust, grit, and sediment are deposited, by reason of their specific gravity, in the wells, and

for the same reason are not in material quantity again carried up by capillary attraction, as is the oil, to be again carried down as the journal revolves. The revolution of the journal tends to raise the oil in one passage and draw it down in the opposite passage, they being arranged in this instance on opposite sides of the journal, but while the journal is at rest the capillary attraction and the conductive action of the wicks are constantly operating as a filter and a means of supply from one fountain to the other.

NVhen I form my box by casting metal around a tube, said tube projects into the bearing 0, and the openings into the tube from the hearing are formed in the act of finishing the hearing, and are thus made exactly flush with the curved surface of the bearin g. I consider this method of manufacture novel and as an important part of my invention. By dispensing with the main fountain A and the flanges a and tubes D of the upper half, and making passages in the lower half, it is made a selfoiling box for the lower portion of ajournal, and I deem such a construction as comprehended by my invention. This is illustrated in the lower half of Fig. 4Ltl1at is to say, the lower half of the box may be employed alone in connection with the tubes or passages, and the wicks therein either above or below a shaft.

Having described my'invention and its op eration, what I claim is- 1. The combination of an upper main supply-fountain, two lower secondary fountains, and independent communicating passages,

each partly passing through the beari ng, whereby the middle portion only of a wick in the passages comes in contact with the journal, substantially as specified.

2. The combination ofan uppersupply-fountain, a lower well, and a pipe, tube, or passage projecting into the bearing, and a wick arranged in the pipe, tube, or passage and in the fountains, whereby the middle portion only of a wick in the passages comes in contact with the journal, substantially as specified.

3. The combination ofthe upperfountain,A, the lower fountains, B, the tubes D, having a side opening conforming to the bearing, wicks E, and bearing G, substantially as shown and described.

4. The upper half, A, provided with the fountain A, tubes D, and flanges a, in combination with the lower half, B, provided with the fountains or wells 13, substantially as shown and described.

5. The method of making the upper half of the box, or that portion of the same having con-. 

